The increase in veganism could affect the language we use, according to a university academic (Image: (Image: iStock/Getty)

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There’s more than one way to peel a potato, and you can feed two birds with one scone.

If those phrases sound familiar, and yet not quite right, that’s because they are alternatives to two more familiar things you hear people say.

They have been suggested by animal rights charity Peta, as replacements for ‘more than one way to skin a cat’ and ‘killing two birds with one stone’.

And their use could become more widespread than you might think, as an academic at Swansea University argues the growing popularity of veganism could lead to a reduction in the use of sayings featuring meat and dairy references.

Postdoctoral researcher Dr Shareena Hamzah told The Conversation phrases such as ‘bring home the bacon’ could go out of fashion.

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Dr Hamzah said she believed the influence of veganism would raise awareness of animal cruelty and push people towards using less meaty metaphors.

Which is why Peta has made other suggestions, such as replacing the expression ‘take the bull by the horns’ with ‘take the flower by the thorns’, and ‘to flog a dead horse’ with ‘to feed a fed horse’.

Alternative phrases...

Peta has produced a series of 'helpful' suggestions for teachers to use with their pupils instead of the current 'harmful' phrases.

Here are some of the replacements Peta suggests...

'Spill the beans', instead of 'let the cat out of the bag'.

'Be the test tube' instead of 'be the guinea pig'.

'Hold the phone', instead of 'hold your horses'.

'Open Pandora's box', instead of 'open a can of worms'.

'Bring home the bagels', instead of 'bring home the bacon'.

'Put all your berries on one bow', instead of 'put all your eggs in one basket'.

Dr Hamzah said: “If veganism forces us to confront the realities of food’s origins, then this increased awareness will undoubtedly be reflected in our language and literature.

“The increased awareness of vegan issues will filter through our consciousness to produce new modes of expression.”

Want to know more about vegans?...

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According to Dr Hamzah, historically the resources required to obtain meat meant it was mainly the preserve of the upper classes, while the peasantry subsisted on a mostly vegetarian diet, and as a result, the consumption of meat was associated with power structures in society, its absence from the plate indicating disadvantaged groups.